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Monday, December 31, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my friends in cyberspace. I hope you will make it a habit to visit my site this new year. In this painting, I show loose line art along with some loose color. This is a village somewhere in Europe. Colorful storefronts and interesting architecture prompted the title of Village Faces. Ink and watercolor, 8" x 10", Strathmore Watercolor Sampler pad.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

I wanted to do a portrait and Meg Ryan's face is as nice as you can get so I did hers. It sort of looks like her and at least observers have guessed it was her. Portraits are difficult but they are fun to try just to see if I can do it. The original is done on Strathmore smooth bristol but the original colors look better than the colors on this jpg. I cannot figure out how to get the skin tones correct in Photoshop. I will be interested in any observations. 8" x 10", ink and watercolor.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The look of this scene is nothing but COLD. This is a winter scene as the sun sets in the evening. With snow on the ground the last place you need to be is out in this environment. The bare trees show it is dead of winter. On days like this it's nice to be tucked away in your home with a fire in the fireplace burning. 8" x 10", ink and watercolor.SOLD

Saturday, December 15, 2007

This is a scene from the middle of London. Years back while I was still working, I traveled to London on business. Unfortunately, I was too busy to draw and all I had time for was my business work. I loved my visits to this great city.The architecture, atmosphere and people are fantastic. Because I did not take lots of photographs, I must now draw from images on the internet or from magazines. This was done quickly with pencil, ink and watercolor. 8" x 10".

Sunday, December 09, 2007

There is a place in Fresno called Simonian Farms. It is owned by my old Fresno State University school mate Dennis Simonian. Each time we pass thru or visit Fresno we stop at Dennis's place where he loads us up with fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. Not only does he have lots of fresh produce but he also has a lot filled with old "anything". The drawing here depicts only a very small portion of the vintage collection he displays. Seems like there is something new (old) added each time we visit. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14", Strathmore Smooth Bristol.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Placer Sierra Bank has gone away. Wells Fargo absorbed this small banking concern in northern California. This view is of one of the small branches in Lincoln. I decided to post it because there are more positives than negatives. My disappointments are that I did not take more care in drawing the lettering on the green sign and the blotchyness of the green sign. I like the view, the vibrant colors, and the looseness. The painting serves as my memory of this little bank that "was". Watercolor, 8" x 10", Strathmore pad.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

These are the Gladiola flowers that bloomed the past two weeks of November. My wife planted the bulbs on a sunny side of our house, continued to water the plants and she got several nice bouquets of flowers for Thanksgiving. We thought these bloomed only in the spring. I drew these in ink using all sorts of pens then painted in the watercolor. I hope you enjoy this colorful flower illustration. 11" x 14", Strathmore watercolor paper.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Totally imaginary painting of a lush forest scene. I looked at several forest photos and came of with this wet, loose rendition of my own. While the actual painting is really of "nothing", the image reduced down and put onto note cards is very attractive and sold well at my last art show. Ink and watercolor, 5" x 7".

Friday, November 23, 2007

This old theater marquee still stands in Roseville. The facility is now used by local actors for plays and other events. I remember this building when I was little. At night, the bright lights made the downtown area beautifully exciting. The building seemed so huge, but it really is not. There was a Foster Freeze next to it and my Mom and Dad would treat us to root beer floats. Many of these beautiful marquees have gone by the wayside. I wish they were all renovated and still in use. This one will stand forever in my mind. Micron, Faber Castell "Shades of Gray".

Saturday, November 17, 2007

The rebuilt Cool Springs station is now a gift shop offering souvenirs and one-of-a-kind Cool Springs memorabilia. Cool Springs is located about 20 miles west of Kingman, Arizona on Route 66. After driving many miles through "nothing" you arrive at this little station which is located "nowhere". The quietness, the eerie howling wind and the looming mountain can easily whip up any superstitions you may have in lonely regions. Micron and Pilot pens and Faber Castell "Shades of Grey" brush pens, watercolor, 10" x 13" on Strathmore Smooth Bristol.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Colorful trees with brilliant red and orange leaves rustle in the wind. These leaves are rapidly falling and soon will be scattered on the ground. The trees can then survive another cold, long winter. But never fear, the warmth of spring time will allow the new buds to appear in bright yellow greens. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14".SOLD

Friday, November 02, 2007

An old football drawing done many years ago displays a different style of ink drawing--with many more lines and strokes. This was drawn from an old Sports Illustrated photograph when all I ever did was draw athletic-related events. I like this drawing because the ball carrier shows so much action and movement. Yes, it's that time of the year for football. Drawn with Rapidograph pens, watercolor washes.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

I produced this during one of my last watercolor classes. We are looking down the hill on some structures and some fall trees and color. Turned out OK and everyone in class seemed to like it including the instructor. 11" x 14" ink and watercolor on Strathmore.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

These photos were sent to us by our ex-neighbors Kim and Tony Ditty in Escondido which is about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. The fire came up into their property but the fire fighters saved their home. In this small development, only a few homes were lost and several damaged as far as we can tell.This is where we lived five years ago. I never dreamed this would ever happen. This location is just one of the many areas hit by the Witch Fire and is located west of I-15 on the north edge of Lake Hodges. Across the lake many homes were lost in Rancho Bernardo. SignOn San Diego.com has very good coverage of the fires as well as maps to view areas close up (with street names). http://www.signonsandiego.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMhMezQicec

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

We have been monitoring the horrible fires in southern California and in particular the San Diego area. Five years ago, we moved from the Escondido area to northern California. The fires are near our previous home which is located on the north side of Lake Hodges at the southwestern edge of Escondido. At this point 4 or 5 homes have burned in that development which is called Lomas Serenas. Our relatives have left Escondido not knowing if their home will remain.

We have many friends in the San Diego area and many are in harms way--from Escondido to Rancho Santa Fe to Chula Vista. We have made contact with many and have offered to have them come here to stay. We can find homes for people if we need to. Most have found other places to live.

Unless you are from southern California, you have no idea of the force of Santa Ana winds. They are strong and hot when they blow into the area. In September, October and November the temperatures are still very warm and the land is tinder dry. These appear to be some of the worst winds that I can recall. The winds must die down for the fire fighters to get a chance to halt the charging fires.Last night I saw news reporter Larry Himmel reporting in front of his home that was aflame and destroyed. I probably could not have done what he was able to do. Larry is not just a reporter. We grew up watching him on the news for many years. That makes it much more personal. We also believe our former church (RBBC) in Rancho Bernardo may be partially destroyed.All for now. We will watch and pray that the winds subside and cooler weather will arrive.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

This healthy tree has survived the heat, cold, wind, rain, snow and altitude and somehow still seems to live forever. This drawing shows the extreme environments in which living things survive. I drew this several years ago and gave the original away as a gift. I kept one print which I have framed in my home. This was done using Rapidograph pens on illustration board and is my Illustration Friday entry for Extremes.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Small, loose, wet painting of the open-ness of distant misty hills for IllustrationFriday. This is an early morning painting showing mist and fog remaining low to the ground before the sun heats the day. Ink and watercolor, 5" x 7".

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Sketch of a very neat apartment building near Japantown in San Francisco. These are lots of fun to draw because there is so much to draw. This building was very well kept and newly painted. I used Micron pens with Faber Castell "Shades of Grey" brush pens, 8" x 10".

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Lots of color highlight this autumn scene in a wooded area far off the beaten path. Some leaves will remain green throughout the winter but the mixture of the leaves turning in color along with the remaining green is fantastic. Ink and watercolor, 8" x 10".PRINTS SOLD

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Eventhough I am trying to loosen up on most of my art it's nice to tighten up once in a while just to make sure I can still do it. This drawing is looking down from the top of a railroad car. Now I know the subject matter is not that interesting but it's the detail I like. I drew the mechanical coupling that connects railroad cars together. Fiddle with this mechanism and the cars will be separated. I have always loved the heavy detail of these connectors--so heavy looking with massive sections. I used Micron pens along with Faber Castell "Shades of Grey" brush pens on Strathmore Smooth Bristol.

Friday, September 21, 2007

This is a picture of me juggling the other day. Yeh, right! Actually, this is a drawing of a guy who can juggle. I thought I was reasonably coordinated until I tried juggling one day. Talk about humbling. Anyway, juggling is about one of the most difficult things to do next to trying to hit a 95 mile an hour fastball in baseball. I couldn't do that very well either. Enough of that. This drawing was difficult in that the hands and arms are key to this drawing. I tried to make the hands larger than normal because they were in front of the body. The man's head may be a little too large and the skin color too vivid. Now that I've slashed my artwork to bits, what are your comments? I drew this on bristol in ink and added the washes in watercolor for Illustration Friday's, Juggle.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

I took my wife to her doctor appointment at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento. I took my pens and drawing booklet and started sketching. I did several sketches that were OK but this one I liked the best. The man was sitting directly opposite me so I had a good view. He did not know I was drawing him and he stayed still for me. He was reading his newspaper and seemed very content. Pilot and Micron pens, 5" x 7", Strathmore sketch pad.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Painting of a lone tree near the property line near the barbed wire fence. Sometimes the cows rest here in the shadows. The left side of the painting had the sunlight while the right side showed the clouds of a rapidly approaching storm. Ink and watercolor, 8" x 10".

Monday, September 03, 2007

The newer Auburn Promenade is the old Auburn Hotel located uptown Auburn, California. The refurbishment of the outside facade of this structure is really very nice--still old looking but updated. I love the detail on this building and I kept everything semi-loose. I decided against any washes or color.This is strictly pen and ink using Micron and Nexus pens and a Canson sketch pad, 11" x 14".

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

A fast-growing purple plum tree is located just outside of our property in one corner of our yard. They are pretty trees and I discovered they are more difficult to draw and paint than I thought. There are many shades of purple in the tree that you do not notice until you begin draw or paint the subject. Then when you add the shadowed areas there are more shades. I feel it is one of the most difficult trees to paint. This turned out OK so I wanted to share. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14".

Saturday, August 25, 2007

This piece of art was done for Illustration Friday and the theme of Visitors. There is nothing more horrifying than to have visitors come to see you "unannounced"--with smiling faces, children, junky camper, a crummy looking boat and their dogs. And for icing on the cake--your house is a mess because you are having your floors redone.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

The captain of an athletic team is usually the leader because he leads by example and exhibits quality in his play. Unfortunately in professional sports, no captain is exempt from trades. This NHL Chicago Blackhawk captain is now a Calgary Flame. This athlete will carry his qualities to his new team. I think it is an empty feeling to be traded. This was drawn for Illustration Friday’s theme of Captain. Ink and watercolor, 10” 13”, on Canson 100# Bristol.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

In mid-July, we took a trip to San Francisco to attend the grand opening celebration for the Hotel Tomo located in Japantown. My son Derek is the manager and he coordinated the multi-million dollar renovation of this property. We had an "in" so we got a special invite to the reception.

While I was there I strolled around to see the sites and the people. The signs located in the mall across the street from the hotel were interesting. I snapped some photos, drew and painted one of the signs. Ink and watercolor, 8" x10".SOLD

Saturday, August 11, 2007

When there is an emergency, it's always good to see the police on the way. This drawing shows one of the hot new police vehicles that we all see on the roads today. I had a photograph in my files and when the Illustration Friday theme of Emergency popped up, I decided to draw it and enter it. I used pens, markers, color pencils and some Tombow washes.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Mountain pine trees on the side of a rocky slope begin to feel the rays of the sun in an early summer scene. For those of you who have been high in the mountains you know the serene feeling, the dampness, and the quietness of a new day. Except for the critters and birds there is nothing else to disturb the solitude. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14".

Saturday, August 04, 2007

A military B-52 makes its approach to an isolated airport in the far reaches of the United States. This airplane has proven to be one of the most reliable and effective weapons FLYING in military arsenal history. The once huge numbers of these lethal weapons is now MISSING. I have added this post as a part of this week's Illustration Friday event.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

San Diego de Alcala, the first of the great California Missions, marks the birthplace of Christianity in the far West. It is California's first church. Built in 1769 and refurbished in 1931 it remains an active parish for worshippers in the area. I like this painting because it is simple and I love the bell tower. The green of the trees gives the painting some punch. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14".

Monday, July 23, 2007

This painting shows a large structure from the southwestern part of the USA. This theme matches so many of the buildings in this area with rust colors, adobe facades and rustic additions. A warm, clear day can quickly change into thunderstorms and this view shows the clouds forming above. But after the storms a beautiful evening can be enjoyed. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14"

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

This painting is of the new passenger terminal in Rocklin, California which is located about 20 miles north of Sacramento. This station is one of the stops for the daily Capitol Corridor commuter train that travels to the San Francisco bay area. My concern while doing this painting was putting in the shadows. But, I am quite pleased with how the shadows turned out. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14".

Saturday, July 14, 2007

I made a startling Discovery. I discovered this watercolor rendition of a beautiful old oak tree. I posted the ink version in September 2006 and had planned to post this color version but forgot it in my stacks of art. With that explanation, I hope you enjoy my entry into this week's Illustration Friday challenge even if this is a "lame" association to the theme Discovery. This is an 11" x 14" ink and watercolor.PRINTS SOLD

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

An aging utility locomotive, with its old Southern Pacific colors and newer Union Pacific colors, sits idly on the sidetracks at the Union Pacific yard in Roseville, CA. This locomotive’s power days are now over and it is now used to shuttle cars around the yard. Much of the time it sits with its power caged awaiting its next job for the day. Note the yellow sign. Hard to believe these huge engines can be moved by remote control. Ink and watercolor, 11” x 14”.

Friday, July 06, 2007

This old structure, is located in the heart of Auburn, CA at High St. and East Placer St. It is beautiful and unique in architecture. Built in the early 1900s, this historic building for many years housed a liquor store on the first floor and and a private club and banquet facilities upstairs. Ink and watercolor, 8" x 10".

Sunday, July 01, 2007

This scene is from the middle of a desert. Shrubs and and a small tree grow against the rocks and sand portraying a brilliant contrast. The texture of the rocks was done with spatter from a very damp brush. The only problem is the spatter went onto the sky area because I did not mask properly. But what the heck, it gives the painting some character--whatever that means. Ink and watercolor

Sunday, June 24, 2007

This fast-moving Green Mamba lurks in the trees searching for food and is my Illustration Friday choice for Camouflage. These snakes are highly venomous, but less aggressive than their black mamba relatives. They blend into the tree colors very well and are not noticed by their victims until it is too late.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

This loose ink sketch with watercolor is of a scene from "The City". I decided to just draw and not worry about details and exactness. All lines are very loose and if I made a mistake I just ignored it. Added color when I was through drawing. Ink and watercolor, 8" x 10".

Monday, June 18, 2007

Colorful scene illustrates an old barn, rock foundation and cellar entrance on a hillside in northern California. It is spingtime and the leaves and other foliage have bright green in them. Oh, and also, there is plenty of pollen and other bad stuff in the air. If you're not careful you may start sneezing, coughing and rubbing your eyes all of which will make you miserable. 11" x 14" ink drawing overpainted with watercolors.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

This painting is of the historical firehouse in lower Auburn, California. This is one of the many sites that bring tourists from all over California. This view is facing eastward towards upper Auburn with the Courthouse visible in the background. Ink and watercolor, 11" x 14".

Monday, June 11, 2007

This was drawn for Illustration Friday and its weekly theme of "Suit". Whenever summer comes around, this is the only type of "suit" I think of -- a bathing suit. I sketched this from an image from my computer screen. Ink and watercolor, 8" x 10".SOLD

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Simple study in architecture done at a gambling casino about five miles from where I live. It is a beautiful large facility but all I did was capture a small part of one side of the building. One of these days, I plan to do a painting of the overall structure. 8" x 10", ink and watercolor.

Monday, June 04, 2007

One of many in a brigade of a palace guards. This was an exercise where I just let the pen go. Drew it from a photograph. Sometimes if I do not plan to be careful, drawings turn out OK like this one. Ink.

Friday, June 01, 2007

This scene is located in the American River canyon near Auburn, CA. The water flow is very low because it is late summer. The oldest structure (closest) is the "no-hands bridge" and the newest is the Foresthill Bridge at the top.The center bridge is where Hwy 49 travels on the way to Cool and Pilot Hill then to Placerville.16" x 20", ink and watercolor.SOLD

Sunday, May 27, 2007

This beautiful Jaguar automobile is my entry into this week's Illustration Friday theme of Cars. Details on the vehicle are not exact and rendered loosely. I used watercolors, a Sharpie, a Nexus, a Pilot, a Tombo and Micron pens for the line work. (sometimes I get carried away with pens) I hope you enjoy my artwork.

Friday, May 25, 2007

This abstract flower painting has interesting colors, whites and textures. I normally do not do abstracts but for some reason I just felt like doing something different. This original artwork was matted and framed and given to my niece Jackie and her husband Will for for their newly purchased home. GIFT